Office of the Secretary |
Contact: Kathryn
Harrington
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For Immediate Release: July 21, 2004 |
202-208-6502
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Secretary Norton Announces the Designation of Estes Park, Colo. as a Take Pride in America City Take Pride in America Western States Tour to kick-off July 22 |
ESTES PARK, Colo. - Secretary
of the Interior Gale Norton announced today that the Town of Estes Park,
Colo. has been designated as a Take Pride in America City and recognized
as the first in the state of Colorado. Norton noted that a Take Pride
in America City designation is bestowed upon a city or municipality
that supports the mission and goals of Take Pride. The city then agrees
to sponsor two or more events such as an award ceremony or a clean-up
event in its community. "This cooperative effort
in Colorado is a prime example of the Interior Department's Take Pride
in America program approach across the country to encourage volunteer
stewardship of our public lands," Norton said. "Other states
and cities are also joining in these kinds of volunteer and conservation
programs for the benefit of all who use and enjoy state, federal and
local public lands." Norton, along with Take Pride
in America Executive Director Marti Allbright, also kicked-off a Take
Pride in America Western States Tour. The tour will engage volunteers
in meaningful service-to-the-land projects at events scheduled through
Labor Day. On Thursday, July 22, 2004, Allbright will join a number
of community groups to refurbish picnic areas below Olympus Dam in Estes
Park before heading to Colorado Springs and on to Oregon, California,
and Utah. In strong support of volunteerism
on public lands, a Take Pride in America Charter Partner, Unilever,
is co-sponsoring the Take Pride western tour. They are donating 100
percent recycled plastic lumber picnic tables to Estes Park, as well
as continuing their sustainable lumber donation to the National Park
Service, and assisting with the 2004 Take Pride in America National
Awards ceremony September 21, 2004, in Washington, DC. Additionally, Unilever and
fellow Take Pride Charter Partner, Forever Resorts, a National Park
Service concessionaire, will sponsor volunteer projects in Rocky Mountain
National Park during 2005. Together, Unilever and Forever Resorts will
contribute recycled plastic lumber, and recruit and oversee a major
volunteer effort to use this lumber to enhance visitor experiences and
protect park resources. For more than a decade, Unilever, a manufacturer and marketer of home, personal care and foods products, has worked with more than 175 national parks, donating sustainable lumber to some 125 National Park units to use for boardwalks, docks, and site amenities, including the entire boardwalk and decking system around Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. In addition, Unilever has sponsored volunteer events in more than 100 national parks and public land areas. Its National Parks America Tour volunteer initiative has an estimated value of $1.6 million in service annually. About Take
Pride in America Take Pride in America is a national partnership that aims to seek, support and recognize volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs, wildlife refuges, cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas. With 100 Charter Partners, Take Pride involves federal, state and local governments, conservation, youth and recreation groups, and top national corporations and organizations. Together, we protect and enhance the special legacy all Americans share - our public lands that cover one in every three acres across the nation. For more information visit: www.TakePride.gov.
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